Known as one of the smallest cetaceans in the ocean, the vaquita is a small porpoise that weighs from thirty to forty pounds. Grey in color, with a stripe running from their snouts to their flippers, they live just off the shorelines in the lagoons and shallow waters of Mexico's Gulf of California, non-selectively feeding on fish, squid and aquatic plants. The decline in population of the vaquita is mainly due to commercial fishing, where nets snag them and kill them off in large numbers. These animals can only occasionally be found in the ocean around the Baja Peninsula.
A beautiful and memorable parrot, the Scarlet Macaw is found in the jungles of Mexico, Central America, and even as far south as Brazil. However, they are incredibly rare because they've been hunted, caught, and killed in large numbers for their feathers. These birds flaunt bright, beautiful colors, with tales that can be up to two feet long on some adults. They are intelligent as well, with the ability to mimic human voices, learning words and speech patterns. These birds can live up to 60 years. There are laws protecting the Scarlet Macaw species in Mexico.
The Omiltemi Rabbit is a small cottontail rabbit only found at higher elevations in Mexico, at least a mile above sea level. Very little is known about them as they are incredibly rare and spotted infrequently. They have the ability to camouflage themselves in underbrush better than most animals their size, and they can remain entirely motionless for up to 15 minutes, confusing their predators. Forestry is thought to have led to an extreme decline in their population, though little is known.
